Category Archives: Travel Tips

Every wandering soul wants to make the most of every trip whenever possible, and this is often done by stretching every penny we intend to splurge. More often than you’d expect, this heeds merging your street smarts and bargaining skills and putting them into good use. Who knows how far you can go when you stretch that budget just a little bit further?Read on and allow me to elucidate on some ways to avoid squandering your pocket money into smithereens.

Eat like a local

They say much of our lives is spent choosing what to eat, and I couldn’t agree more. Our moments abroad are not exempted from this and we are often faced with the undying question: Where do we eat for lunch? If you want to get your money’s worth then avoid tourist hotspots vehemently. The restaurants and cafes which have easy access to promenades and city centers most likely offer the most expensive comestibles in town. It is not much of an issue of tourist trapping but more of supply and demand really. Observe the locals and follow their tracks where they head for a good meal. Be brave and randomly ask for advice, you might even gain a friend.

Explore your options with accommodation

The methods by which tourists can save on travel accommodation is expanding and the offerings are endless. Airbnb has taken the industry by storm and has changed the way we choose temporary abodes. Here you can even save more money by booking a private room instead of an entire place. Hostels and bed and breakfasts are also economical for some and provide bare necessities. For the frugal traveler, a hotel booking is not prime choice for sure – there are cheaper alternatives available that will slice your expenses by at least half. While these options may not provide the same luxury and hospitality service a five star hotel takes pride in, their value for money cannot be denied.

Get to know their public transport

The internet is a formidable tool and travelers now have full capacity of devicing their own itineraries, including how and when to reach them. Taking time to discover a city’s transportation system can save you a lot of money by arriving to your desired destinations utilizing public transport. There are travel cards valid anywhere for 2-5 days that you only need to pay off once and, depending on your choice, you can ride all the buses, trams and trains with the same ticket. This eliminates the need for hop on hop off bus tours that charge an estimate of £10 a day. Example: A day trip to the Stonehenge in Bath may cost as much as £50 when booked under a travel agency. However, an advanced booking for a national express coach to Bath is only £5 and the adult entrance fee is £15.50. That’s a thirty quid difference.

Do some shopping at the airport

Okay, now I know this does not fit well with beginnings of saving money haha. Shopping is an easy way to rationalize unnecessary expenditures you may acquire as your trip goes along. However, if you keep a calm state of mind, I suggest you take a good perusal of the tax free goodies around the airport. The fact they are tax free leaves room for big discounts and if you chance upon big sales, there might be bargains that are too good to ignore. I scored my Go Pro in London Gatwick Airport during a mega sale that left it selling for half the original price and they threw in a Go Gear accessories kit for FREE. A thing to ponder about: It is only a good deal if you were intending to buy it in the first place.

Check for free walking tour offers

Do not forget to check if your destination of choice has free walking tours. Basic city tours are often available at no cost, although they may occur on certain schedules. The aim is to get the clients to return and book a paid tour under the same agency – like advertising themselves by investing in a traveler’s good faith. I’ve done this in Prague and the tour guides were nothing short of brilliant and witty. It did not feel like a free tour at all. Our expert guide, Dave (He wanted to be called Colorado Dave, haha) even quizzed us in the end and I won a beer!

Look for online deals

They might be scarce but last minute online deals are pretty sweet – if you manage to catch one of them. I am a big planner so I have never had the benefit of this at all. But judging by the prices, it does pay off to be spontaneous from time to time. Browse lastminute.com or similar sites.

It pays off to be ambivalent when it comes to money matters and I hope these few travel tips allow you to expand your travel budget that extra mile. What is the harm in getting more of your money’s worth? Absolutely nothing. When this is combined with all those priceless experience and memories gained through the gift of travel then there is no argument at all: it is worth every centavo your money can buy.

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Saving up since forever for that dream getaway? If your answer is yes then read on for some tips and tricks on how you could finally achieve your travel goals. Whether you have been postponing that trip because of insufficient funds or you simply have been dipping into your travel jar (naughty!), I am sure these ways of growing your savings will definitely be very useful. Most of them are based from personal experience and are tried and tested by yours truly. It’s time to evaluate yourself and save up big time for that dream destination!

Open a savings account

This is very basic but as simple as it is, there are advantages into creating a separate account for the sole purpose of saving. This promotes motivation and a positive financial mindset. Then there are the interest rates, which no matter how low, is still free money. The goal is to build a habit of stowing away a specific amount that you will not use for anything else. When I get my salary from my full time job, the first thing I do is allocate to my savings account, then I pay all my bills then I live with what is left of my hard-earned money. Keep in mind: Live within your means.

Get organized with money saving apps

There are helpful applications out there for free that can help you keep track of spending or even manage bank accounts from your smart phone. Make the most of this technology to keep an eye on your monthly expenses – watch out for overlooked minor things that accumulate overtime. Usually these are unused memberships or subscriptions that you most likely do not even remember. Download a mobile bank app if possible and check your available balance regularly to make sure you only spend within budget.

Watch your daily coffee habit

I am guilty of this one, after all who can resist a good cuppa? However this proves to be an expensive habit overtime, not to mention the calories packed in a single venti. In London a coffee shop charges an average of £2.50 per cup. Even if I reduce it to four times a week that still translates to £40 a month. SOLUTION: I decided to invest in a coffee machine and it is still paying for itself tenfold.

Buy in bulk.

There are non-perishable goods that when bought in bulk can really give you a run for your money. Among these things are tissue paper, office supplies, beverages, batteries or even toothbrushes. The good thing is, you can order most of them online too. Saves you the money and effort.

Keep track of your transport expenses

We have a variety of options when it comes to going around these days and transport expenditures are easy to overlook simply because we deem them a necessity. Make sure you make use of travel cards if it is cheaper in the long run. Avoid taxi fares by getting up early to catch your train on time. Always ask yourself: Is this cost efficient or simply convenient?

Consider takeaways a treat every fortnight.

Face it: eating takeaway regularly is a major cause of the depletion of your savings. Which is why you should consider it a treat every two weeks if you cannot just do away with it completely. Who knows what culinary skills you have hidden inside you? Cooking and meal prepping is one sure way of gaining control over your spending on food.

Never watch movies for full price

I am not a movie person but in case you are, then get this. You can cut off your cinema expenses by half and see the exact same movie. For example in London, Vue Cinemas partners with Y Plan from time to time and you can buy tickets for £7 instead of £14. Also, I acquired a Tastecard membership which allows me to get 40% discount on certain cinemas nationwide. Or you can just stream online for free. And cut off your cable – Netflix is waaay cheaper.

Explore options for passive income

Earn extra bucks on the side even if it is only until you reach your goal. This may be hardwork for some but nothing is too difficult if you badly want this trip to happen. A few ideas are babysitting, dog walking or even hosting on Airbnb.

Scrap off your credit card debt

It is hard to save up for something when credit card debt takes a massive chunk of your income. And don’t you even think of booking that flight with your remaining credit balance. The last thing you want is paying off lots of interest over a debt you can easily take care of. You HAVE to prioritize scratching it off so you can focus on your financial plan.

Sell those pre-loved items

Have a good look around your room. Chances are you own stuff you haven’t even touched in a year. Rethink your need for these items and explore how comfortable you are with selling them. It could be an old bike, an unwanted gift or a camera you aren’t using anymore. Hold a small garage sale or get put it up on ebay.

Resist the upgrade.

Two months ago I resisted the temptation of upgrading my phone contract although I really wanted the latest handset model. In the end I talked myself out of it because my phone was in good condition that you would think it’s brand new. I downgraded my contract instead and this alone will save me £360 a year. If you have a smartphone that is working just fine, I recommend doing this immediately.

Get rid of some bad (and expensive) habits

Going out for a few drinks every now and then is harmless right? Wrong. With the costs of basic commodities on the rise, so is the price tag on alcohol and cigarettes. These items are usually taxed because of their nature, making them even more pricey. Smoking is a luxurious habit to keep and in London alone a smoker who consumes 1 pack a day will spend approximately £300 a month. Your body will thank you for it!

And there you have it, twelve ways you can save more money for that well – deserved holiday! Remember, every little bit counts and it all boils down to how it all sums up. Don’t be that person who thinks saving small amounts of money counts for nothing – spare as much as you can. Ultimately, every bit is an inch closer to your goal and before you know it, you’d be booking that plane ticket with a wide smile on your face. Happy travels!

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While the idea of going away for a holiday may be exciting, preparing for that much anticipated trip can be a bit of a task. And as much as you just want to fast forward your life into your well deserved vacation, well the truth is you have a few bases you need to cover. So while you tick off your to do list and finish packing that luggage, I am going to share with you the five items that have become staples in my travel bag. Some of them are quite unlikely items but believe me, they are life savers!

1. Baby Wipes

This is one of my personal favorites and my trusty pack of wet wipes have saved me from a lot of sticky situations. It is a very versatile item that I use for cleaning personal items, taking care of accidental spills and even as simple as sanitizing my hands. Got a spot on your shoe? No worries as long as you have this on your travel bag. PS: I even used the ones with aloe for quick relief from sunburn!

2. Sewing Kit

I always keep a mini sewing kit with spare safety pins and buttons on me when traveling. It’s an unlikely item for some but it can make your life ten times easier should your OOTD decide to malfunction. Most wardrobe issues that happen on the road can be repaired quickly with a few stitches and all it takes is a few minutes. So do yourself a favor and have one with you on your next getaway.

3. Scarf

When traveling to places that are notorious for temperamental weather, my go to item is a scarf. Pick one that goes well with most colors so you can pull it off with any outfit. You don’t need to have it on all the time, just roll it neatly and tuck it in your handbag in case the weather gets a bit chilly. Heading off somewhere warm? Summer scarves would definitely complete your look.

4. Power Bank

An average person nowadays will own anywhere from two to five gadgets. The unfortunate truth about them is, they run out of juice eventually and more so when you are traveling and using apps for directions. Luckily, there are a lot of different power banks available in the market today which allow you to charging your most important gadgets on the go. This technology is more necessary than convenient depending on how bad you need access to your phone’s content. Another option would be to pack an extra battery.

5. Water Bottle

Going back to basic things: Hydration. Cities with high costs of living can take a toll on your pocket money even on purchasing small items like drinks and coffee. Going places with your own water bottle not only keeps me hydrated – it saves me some money when I find myself in touristy places and a small bottled water is selling for 5 euros. When it adds up, you could use that money instead for some cute souvenirs.

So there you have it, my five travel must haves especially for you. I hope you keep some of these travel staples in your bag the next time you pack for a trip. Happy travels!

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Do you have items you simply cannot do without when travelling? Let me know in the comments below!